Noted Researcher Discusses Link Between Sleep Apnea and Alzheimer’s Disease

Dr. Ricardo Osorio

Participants from 9 States Join in ‘CPAP Chat’

“CPAP treatment of sleep apnea may delay progression of cognitive impairment,” Dr. Ricardo Osorio, a world-renowned expert on the correlation between sleep apnea and various forms of dementia, discussed as the featured guest during the August edition of ‘CPAP Chat,’ the world’s only virtual support group for people with sleep apnea and for health care professionals.

He added, “The presence of sleep disordered breathing is associated with an earlier age of cognitive decline.” (CPAP is the therapy of choice to treat sleep apnea – an acronym for continuous positive airway pressure.) These are among conclusions in a study co-authored by Dr. Osorio that appeared in the journal Neurology.

Dr. Osorio told participants, “Because people are living longer due to healthier habits, Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia are occurring at a later age. Also because people are living longer, the total number of people with Alzheimer’s is expected to rise dramatically.”

Each month ‘CPAP Chat’ features guests with unique personal stories, motivational tips, or sleep-related research. This session drew participants from 9 states, including from as far away as Washington state. Held on the first Wednesday of each month from 7 – 8 pm (ET), sessions are free and open to all. The host is Eric Cohen, President of National Sleep Therapy. Past guests have included a retired NFL football player and professional body builder who defeated his sleep apnea, a mindful meditation guru, and a nutrition and fitness expert, among others.

During ‘CPAP Chat,’ Dr. Osorio, a researcher and faculty member at the New York University Medical School’s Center for Brain Health, described one experiment in which mice who were deliberately sleep deprived lost much of their memory, but when they started to get adequate sleep, their memories improved. He said that 70% of the people in his sleep study at NYU – ages 60 – 85 -- had some degree of sleep apnea, with 20% severe cases.

Research shows that too little sleep leaves us drowsy and unable to concentrate the next day. It also leads to impaired memory and physical performance. Some experts believe sleep gives neurons used while we are awake a chance to shut down and repair themselves. Without sleep, neurons may become so depleted or polluted that they begin to malfunction. Sleep also may give the brain a chance to exercise important neuronal connections that might otherwise deteriorate from lack of activity.* It’s estimated that 20 million Americans suffer from some form of sleep disordered breathing such as sleep apnea. Left unchecked, chronic lack of proper sleep can result in dementia, anxiety, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and highway and workplace accidents – and an all-around lower quality of life.

CPAP Chat is free, anonymous and open to all. To join the chat: Just prior to the session on the 1st Wednesday of each month at 7 pm (ET), call 1-800.204.6655, enter access code 342-2187#.) 

By Stanley Hurwitz / stanhurwitz@gmail.com

*Source: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (an agency of the National Institutes of Health).